Selig: Progress on Cubs sale

April 25, 2008|By Dan McGrath

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said he's not sure why the Cubs' sale has languished into a second season, but he expects the process to accelerate now that Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell has agreed to release "the book" on Cubs financial numbers to prospective buyers.

Tribune Co. announced the Cubs were for sale on Opening Day of the 2007 season as part of its deal for Sam Zell to assume control of the company.

He said at the time he hoped to have the transaction completed before the end of that season, or by the end of the calendar year.

Even though as many as six groups have been identified as interested buyers, the team remains in Tribune Co. hands under the leadership of Crane Kenney, who was approved as "control person'' by MLB in January, Selig said. The future of Wrigley Field is one issue that has complicated the sale process.

"With the book coming out in the next few weeks, I think the process will move forward more rapidly than it has," Selig said Thursday. "I think that's in everybody's best interests."

*Also Thursday, Selig indicated baseball management officials implicated in the Mitchell Report apparently will escape suspensions and fines but be required to perform public service if they are found to have acted improperly.